Vietnam in capture - 12 Days
-
VCT04

Thanks to its geographic diversity, Vietnam is a desirable destination for travelers from across the globe. This12-day Vietnam classic tour will show you the highlights of the country’s diverse regions. We start out in the mountainous region of Sapa, where we will visit the colorful ethnic market Bac Ha, hike to ethnic minority villages and marvel at the stunning landscape and emerald green rice terraces. You will then get to unwind on a wooden luxury junk in Halong Bay. From here you will fly to Central Vietnam to visit Hue Imperial City, a historic city filled with famous tombs dating back to the Nguyen dynasty. Next on the itinerary is Hoi An, well known for its architecture and traditional handicraft villages. For yet another side of Vietnam, you will travel to bustling Ho Chi Minh City located in southern Vietnam before exploring the maze of colorful floating markets and waterways in the Mekong Delta.

Explore the historic wealth of culture of the cities in Central Vietnam

Immerse yourself in the beautiful waterscape of the Mekong Delt

PROGRAM

Day
01:Hanoi arrival

Day
02:Hanoi city tour - night train to Laocai

Day
03:Lao Cai - Bac Ha ethnic market - Sapa

Day
04:Sapa-Lao Chai & Ta Van Villages- night train to Hanoi

Day
05:Hanoi - Halong Bay

Day
06:Halong - Hanoi - Flight to Hue

Day
07:Hue - Danang - Hoian

Day
08:Hoian half day walking tour

Day
09:Hoian - Danang - Ho Chi Minh

Day
10:Ho Chi Minh - Ben Tre - Can Tho

Day
11:Can Tho - Cai Rang floating market - Ho Chi Minh

Day
12:Ho Chi Minh Departure

DETAILED PROGRAM

Day
01:

Hanoi arrival

Upon arrival at National Airport, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to hotel for check-in. Today, you are free at leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

Day
02:

Hanoi city tour - night train to Laocai
(B,L)

You will be picked up at the hotel at 8:00 am. Starting the day trip will be a visit of the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which compromises Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum (closed on Mondays & Fridays), his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace. You will then visit the Temple of Literature constructed in 1070 to worship Confucius, which served as the first Royal National University in Vietnam. The site also honors 82 Vietnamese doctorates who passed a number of rigid exams in the feudal ages. Their names, birthdays and birthplaces are engraved in 82 headstones perched on stone tortoises. It is widely believed that touching the heads of these tortoises will bring luck. Its peaceful green compound with its neatly maintained lawns, gardens and lotus ponds make it a tranquil hideaway from the city’s bustle and heat. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays, the alternative being the History Museum), which offers informative and well-documented displays of the country’s 54 ethnic groups, including elaborate and colorful hill tribe costumes. The display continues in the museum’s garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses of numerous minority groups, from the Kinhs to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. You then head to Ngoc Son Temple set on a tiny island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Ngoc Son Temple dates back to the 13th century and the lake itself is the picturesque heart of Hanoi, frequented by tourists and locals alike. You can then continue exploring Hanoi by yourself until the departure of the night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on train.

Day
03:

Lao Cai - Bac Ha ethnic market - Sapa
(B,L)

Arrive in Lao Cai 6:00am, and drive to Bac Ha by car to visit Bac Ha market. This is the biggest local ethnic market of the region and takes place every Sunday. Tribal people from surrounding villages flock here to exchange their products. Most still use horses to carry their loads, which means an early departure to get to the market in time.

If you visit Sapa during a spring weekend, you will frequently meet locals in their colorful costumes heading to the markets as this is the best time for youngsters to find a partner to marry. Spring in Sapa, especially around Tet Holiday (late January to early February), is therefore a very joyful time despite the cool temperatures. This is the season of courting, dating and weddings. Nature also contributes to the atmosphere vibrant red and white flowers blooming everywhere. It all makes for a rather unique setting.

After lunch, you will leave the colorful market behind, to follow a zigzag road along the mountain to visit Ban Pho 1 and Ban Pho 2 villages, inhabited by Flower H'mong people. We will stop at a local house to see how corn wine is made - a special wine Bac Ha is renowned for. Taste some and you will truly feel its local flavor. Return to Sapa in the late afternoon. Overnight at hotel in Sapa

Day
04:

Sapa-Lao Chai & Ta Van Villages- night train to Hanoi
(B,L)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before commencing your full day tour of Sapa, starting with its vibrant market and colonial houses. Descending into the Muong Hoa Valley, you will reach the picturesque Lao Chai village home to the Black H'mong ethnic minority and Ta Van village inhabited by Dzay. Enjoy stunning views of rice terraces curving around the hillside, winding rivers and streams glistening in the sunshine. Enjoy a picnic for lunch.

On the way back to Sapa, you will visit Ma Tra village, home to Black Hmong ethnic people. You then return to Lao Cai train station by car to catch the night train to Hanoi. Overnight on the train.

Day
05:

Hanoi - Halong Bay
(B,L,D)

You will arrive at Hanoi train station early in the morning at 5.30am. You will be picked up from the station and brought to a 2 star hotel to freshen up and have breakfast. From there you start your three-hour drive through the Red River Delta to Halong, situated 180km southeast of Hanoi. There will be various photo stops and coffee breaks en route before arriving at Halong’s pier.

You then embark a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise past the limestone cliffs emerging from the emerald waters of Halong Bay. Take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. On board you will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploration of some of the limestone caves in this area. At sunset we will anchor for the night nearby a remote island. Dinner on board. Overnight on junk.

Day
06:

Halong - Hanoi - Flight to Hue
(B)

Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay you have time for an early morning dip while the sun rises, followed by breakfast on board. You will continue to sail through the bay during the morning to explore more secluded areas. The junk will stay close at all times serving as a backup vessel for those that require it. Around midday you will return to the main harbor. A 3-hour drive will take you to Noi Bai airport for your flight to Hue where you check into your hotel. Overnight at hotel in Hue

Day
07:

Hue - Danang - Hoian
(B,L)

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at the hotel at 8:00am for a cruise on the romantic Perfume River. Visit Thien Mu Pagoda, also known as “Heavenly Lady Pagoda and the ornate Minh Mang's Tomb, before disembarking to visit Tu Duc Tomb. Have lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. You then start our drive to Hoi An. You will drive over Hai Van Pass and stop in Danang to visit the Cham Museum and a handicraft village at the foot of Marble Mountain before arriving in Hoi An. Once in Hoi An, you will check into your hotel. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

Day
08:

Hoian half day walking tour
(B)

Breakfast at hotel. You will br taken on a half-day walking tour through the narrow, winding streets of Hoi An’s ancient town, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese assembly halls, the 200- year old Tan Ky ancestral house, and the Japanese Bridge. Following the tour you can explore the town and go shopping on your own. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An

Day
09:

Hoian - Danang - Ho Chi Minh
(B,L)

After breakfast, you will be taken to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival, check into hotel. In the afternoon you will visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and the General Post Office. The Saigon city tour then continues along Dong Khoi Street, where the Opera House and the Peoples’ Committee building, built in 1897 by French architect Ferret Eugene, are situated. The 800 seat Opera House served as the home of the Lower House Assembly of South Vietnam after 1956. You will then visit The Reunification Palace, formerly known as Presidential Palace, which was the residence of the president of South Vietnam until the end of April 1975. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day
10:

Ho Chi Minh - Ben Tre - Can Tho
(B,L)

You will be picked up at your hotel at 8:30am and driven to Ben Tre. Upon arrival at Hung Vuong pier you will embark a boat to cruise on Ben Tre River, one of the tributaries of the Mekong River. Enjoy the lively activities on the river like fishing and water transferring. You will stop at a brick-factory, to see how bricks are made by hand in a traditional way. Your next stop is one of numerous coconut processing workshops located along the canal.

Take a bicycle-cart along a village path and stop at a farmer’s house for lunch. You then talk a walk to a mat-weaving village before embarking small rowing-boats to travel along palm tree lined waterways back to Hung Vuong pier.

You will then drive to Can Tho. Upon arrival, check into hotel and relax. Overnight at hotel in Can Tho

Day
11:

Can Tho - Cai Rang floating market - Ho Chi Minh
(B,L)

In the early morning, you will visit Cai Rang floating market, the biggest and most famous floating market in the Mekong Delta. Get into a sampan to explore the complicated canal system of Can Tho. You then disembark to visit a beautiful old Binh Thuy house. In the afternoon you will return to Ho Chi Minh City. En route, you will visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, a beautiful pagoda in the Mekong Delta. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day
12:

Ho Chi Minh Departure
(B)

Free time for a last bit of shopping or exploring the city on your own, before we take you to Tan Son Nhat airport for your flight home. The hotel room is available until noon only. Asiatica Travel's services end here.

HOTELS LIST

Please note that the hotels mentioned in this list are for reference only. Depending on availability and your preference, they can be changed. If we are unable to book any hotel, it will be replaced by another hotel at least of equivalent standard and value.

Tour price: This trip is organised for private group only. The tariff depends on the number of participants and the tourist season of the year. Please click “Customize this trip” to get the price of your group and your travel date.

Note: Please note that due to cost efficiency, we only organize tour for at least two people.

Situated on the bank of Red River, Hanoi is considered a pearl of Southeast Asia. With historic temples and pagodas, well-preserved colonial structures and exquisite cuisine, Hanoi offers its guests a unique and charming experience to be found nowhere else.

Bac Ha is 80km from the downtown of Sapa, made famous for its untouched nature and colorful ethnic markets. Bac Ha is most beautiful in spring, especially around Tet Holiday (late January to early February). This is the flirting, mating and wedding season. Nature is also vibrant with red and white blossoms blooming everywhere.

Situated on the Tonkinese Alps, Sapa is a superb mosaic painting of colorful ethnic culture and awe-inspiring nature. The old French colonial town now welcomes an influx of travellers allured by its magnificent setting.

Among the famous tourist cities in Vietnam, Hue is unique. It is a beautiful, quiet and relaxing city, rich in nature, architecture, and art.

Hue is also the only city in Vietnam that has a poetic river flows its way through the city. Perfume River and the historic Trang Tien Bridge have become a symbol of Hue romance and charm.

Hue is best known for its imperial citadel, royal mausoleums, and iconic pagodas. Not only a favorite destination for architectural enthusiasts, but Hue also makes a mecca for gastronomes in Vietnam. The city boasts a rich and fantastic cuisine. About two thousands of Vietnamese traditional dishes take origins from Hue and eating and drinking has become a refined art in this old capital of Vietnam.

With an international airport, Da Nang has become the gateway to Central Vietnam. This coastal city is favorably located near three UNESCO heritage sites: Hue imperial city, Hoi An ancient town and My Son holy land.

Mirrored in the poetic Thu Bon River, the little postcard-setting Hoi An is perhaps the most beautiful old town in Vietnam. Not as majestic as Hue or flamboyant as Cho Lon in Saigon, Hoi An with its gentle grace is a big surprise to any jaded mind. Its quiet lanes lighted with lanterns, sleeping old houses and dazzling riverfront restaurants, carry an echo of history and charm.

Ben Tre is a little province in the east of Mekong Delta, being wedged between two main arms of Tien River. Ben Tre shares borders with Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, and Vinh Long. It has one township also called Ben Tre and 7 other small districts, including Ba Tri, Binh Dai, Chau Thanh, Cho Lach, Giong Trom, Mo Cay, and Thanh Phu. The province also accounts for the greatest part of Khmer ethnic population of the region.

Can Tho is the heart of Mekong Delta, formerly the Capital of southern Vietnam or Tay Do. It is a city of poetic landscape, vibrant local markets and fantastic food.
Wandering around its revierside streets lined with restaurants and cafes, indulging in cool breeze from the Hau river and wrapping up a day in magnificent sunset, you will catch an essence of the city. Can Tho also makes a great base to explore the endless waterways of Mekong Delta.

These reviews are objective opinions of our customers and we only publish those agreed by the customers. Please note that not all ready-made tours on our site are reviewed, as 90% of our customers requested a tailor made tour. For more information, please read our Testimonials Page.

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1. ITINERARY AND ACCOMMODATIONS

This tour is designed with balanced activities and pace. If you want to customize it, you may always change its itinerary and accommodations according to your needs.

EXCLUSIVE PRODUCTS

Mrs. HelenWe will be back soonTraveled from 07 Oct 2013 to 18 Oct 2013

"We returned home safely and just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed our journey in Vietnam. We are all so happy and better informed about life in Vietnam after the trip you so carefully organised for us."

Upon arrival at National Airport, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to hotel for check-in. Today, you are free at leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

Days 02: Hanoi city tour - night train to Laocai (B,L)

You will be picked up at the hotel at 8:00 am. Starting the day trip will be a visit of the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which compromises Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum (closed on Mondays & Fridays), his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace. You will then visit the Temple of Literature constructed in 1070 to worship Confucius, which served as the first Royal National University in Vietnam. The site also honors 82 Vietnamese doctorates who passed a number of rigid exams in the feudal ages. Their names, birthdays and birthplaces are engraved in 82 headstones perched on stone tortoises. It is widely believed that touching the heads of these tortoises will bring luck. Its peaceful green compound with its neatly maintained lawns, gardens and lotus ponds make it a tranquil hideaway from the city’s bustle and heat. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays, the alternative being the History Museum), which offers informative and well-documented displays of the country’s 54 ethnic groups, including elaborate and colorful hill tribe costumes. The display continues in the museum’s garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses of numerous minority groups, from the Kinhs to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. You then head to Ngoc Son Temple set on a tiny island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Ngoc Son Temple dates back to the 13th century and the lake itself is the picturesque heart of Hanoi, frequented by tourists and locals alike. You can then continue exploring Hanoi by yourself until the departure of the night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on train.

Days 03: Lao Cai - Bac Ha ethnic market - Sapa (B,L)

Arrive in Lao Cai 6:00am, and drive to Bac Ha by car to visit Bac Ha market. This is the biggest local ethnic market of the region and takes place every Sunday. Tribal people from surrounding villages flock here to exchange their products. Most still use horses to carry their loads, which means an early departure to get to the market in time.

If you visit Sapa during a spring weekend, you will frequently meet locals in their colorful costumes heading to the markets as this is the best time for youngsters to find a partner to marry. Spring in Sapa, especially around Tet Holiday (late January to early February), is therefore a very joyful time despite the cool temperatures. This is the season of courting, dating and weddings. Nature also contributes to the atmosphere vibrant red and white flowers blooming everywhere. It all makes for a rather unique setting.

After lunch, you will leave the colorful market behind, to follow a zigzag road along the mountain to visit Ban Pho 1 and Ban Pho 2 villages, inhabited by Flower H'mong people. We will stop at a local house to see how corn wine is made - a special wine Bac Ha is renowned for. Taste some and you will truly feel its local flavor. Return to Sapa in the late afternoon. Overnight at hotel in Sapa

Days 04: Sapa-Lao Chai & Ta Van Villages- night train to Hanoi (B,L)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before commencing your full day tour of Sapa, starting with its vibrant market and colonial houses. Descending into the Muong Hoa Valley, you will reach the picturesque Lao Chai village home to the Black H'mong ethnic minority and Ta Van village inhabited by Dzay. Enjoy stunning views of rice terraces curving around the hillside, winding rivers and streams glistening in the sunshine. Enjoy a picnic for lunch.

On the way back to Sapa, you will visit Ma Tra village, home to Black Hmong ethnic people. You then return to Lao Cai train station by car to catch the night train to Hanoi. Overnight on the train.

Days 05: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B,L,D)

You will arrive at Hanoi train station early in the morning at 5.30am. You will be picked up from the station and brought to a 2 star hotel to freshen up and have breakfast. From there you start your three-hour drive through the Red River Delta to Halong, situated 180km southeast of Hanoi. There will be various photo stops and coffee breaks en route before arriving at Halong’s pier.

You then embark a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise past the limestone cliffs emerging from the emerald waters of Halong Bay. Take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. On board you will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploration of some of the limestone caves in this area. At sunset we will anchor for the night nearby a remote island. Dinner on board. Overnight on junk.

Days 06: Halong - Hanoi - Flight to Hue (B)

Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay you have time for an early morning dip while the sun rises, followed by breakfast on board. You will continue to sail through the bay during the morning to explore more secluded areas. The junk will stay close at all times serving as a backup vessel for those that require it. Around midday you will return to the main harbor. A 3-hour drive will take you to Noi Bai airport for your flight to Hue where you check into your hotel. Overnight at hotel in Hue

Days 07: Hue - Danang - Hoian (B,L)

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at the hotel at 8:00am for a cruise on the romantic Perfume River. Visit Thien Mu Pagoda, also known as “Heavenly Lady Pagoda and the ornate Minh Mang's Tomb, before disembarking to visit Tu Duc Tomb. Have lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. You then start our drive to Hoi An. You will drive over Hai Van Pass and stop in Danang to visit the Cham Museum and a handicraft village at the foot of Marble Mountain before arriving in Hoi An. Once in Hoi An, you will check into your hotel. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

Days 08: Hoian half day walking tour (B)

Breakfast at hotel. You will br taken on a half-day walking tour through the narrow, winding streets of Hoi An’s ancient town, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese assembly halls, the 200- year old Tan Ky ancestral house, and the Japanese Bridge. Following the tour you can explore the town and go shopping on your own. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An

Days 09: Hoian - Danang - Ho Chi Minh (B,L)

After breakfast, you will be taken to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival, check into hotel. In the afternoon you will visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and the General Post Office. The Saigon city tour then continues along Dong Khoi Street, where the Opera House and the Peoples’ Committee building, built in 1897 by French architect Ferret Eugene, are situated. The 800 seat Opera House served as the home of the Lower House Assembly of South Vietnam after 1956. You will then visit The Reunification Palace, formerly known as Presidential Palace, which was the residence of the president of South Vietnam until the end of April 1975. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Days 10: Ho Chi Minh - Ben Tre - Can Tho (B,L)

You will be picked up at your hotel at 8:30am and driven to Ben Tre. Upon arrival at Hung Vuong pier you will embark a boat to cruise on Ben Tre River, one of the tributaries of the Mekong River. Enjoy the lively activities on the river like fishing and water transferring. You will stop at a brick-factory, to see how bricks are made by hand in a traditional way. Your next stop is one of numerous coconut processing workshops located along the canal.

Take a bicycle-cart along a village path and stop at a farmer’s house for lunch. You then talk a walk to a mat-weaving village before embarking small rowing-boats to travel along palm tree lined waterways back to Hung Vuong pier.

You will then drive to Can Tho. Upon arrival, check into hotel and relax. Overnight at hotel in Can Tho

Days 11: Can Tho - Cai Rang floating market - Ho Chi Minh (B,L)

In the early morning, you will visit Cai Rang floating market, the biggest and most famous floating market in the Mekong Delta. Get into a sampan to explore the complicated canal system of Can Tho. You then disembark to visit a beautiful old Binh Thuy house. In the afternoon you will return to Ho Chi Minh City. En route, you will visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, a beautiful pagoda in the Mekong Delta. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Days 12: Ho Chi Minh Departure (B)

Free time for a last bit of shopping or exploring the city on your own, before we take you to Tan Son Nhat airport for your flight home. The hotel room is available until noon only. Asiatica Travel's services end here.